Blog Post

Shop owners today are faced with a highly competitive retail environment, so it is essential that every effort is made to draw in new customers, as well as keeping existing ones. As specialists in high-end shop fitouts in and around London, Thames Contracts are well placed to know what design techniques are attractive to customers. Here are our top five tips which should increase your store’s footfall – and ensure that buyers keep on coming back.

Leave Enough Space

Although it might be tempting to have as many products as possible out on the shop floor, this can create more problems than it solves. If customers are having to squeeze past each other, or they are constantly having to circumnavigate piles of goods in the aisles, then they probably won’t stay for very long.

You need a logical, spacious design which will encourage shoppers to look round and sample products. Shoppers also don’t want to be held up by long queues at the checkouts, so make sure you leave room for plenty of tills.

Appeal to the Senses

It’s not just about your products but how you create the right atmosphere in your store. Loud, modern music works better on younger customers, whereas more middle-of-the-road fare should be targeted at an older demographic.

Touch is also important, so it is worthwhile creating an area where customers are able to enjoy a truly ‘hands-on’ experience, and can try out your products for themselves. In the case of clothing stores, enough space for welcoming fitting rooms will also need to be factored into the overall design. Taste can be used to increase sales too – food and drink stores can set up testing stations so customers can sample items, hopefully ahead of a purchase or two.

Dare to be Different

High-end stores in particular are always looking for the ‘wow factor’ to help them stand out from their competitors. This can take many forms, from a striking shop name sign to bold use of colours, to the type of artwork on the walls.

At Thames Contracts we can offer a range of different techniques to give your store a head start on your rivals, including using full wall photographs, unusual lighting, and distinctive furniture. However, we will always remain faithful to your shop’s core brand or message.

Be Flexible

Every shop needs to respond to changing tastes and demand. Some products, such as clothing, are seasonal, meaning you may want to have special price promotions and sales. This means your displays need to be very user-friendly, for staff as well as customers, since stock will need to be replaced or changed frequently.

At Thames Contracts we offer a variety of solutions to solve this problem, from rails on wheels to high-end bespoke cabinets, made from long-lasting materials, which can be moved securely by staff.

Remember Your Online Customers

These days, you have to consider the impact of the internet. An increasingly large percentage of your customers will order online and come in and collect their order. Having a dedicated area for this will ensure they don’t need to queue up at the tills alongside casual buyers. However, your design needs to tempt these buyers around the rest of the store, so you need to consider carefully where you put your ‘Click and Collect’ desk.

Offering in-store wi-fi is also becoming increasingly important. Customers need to be able to use their phones and tablets, either as proof of their order, or to find out more about in-store products and prices.

Shop Fitouts in London from Thames Contracts

Thames Contracts have more than two decades’ worth of experience in carrying out high-end shop fitouts in London and south-east England. Whether you want to refurbish your existing store or require a complete refit, we are the people to call.

We provide a single point of contact, so you don’t have to deal with lots of different sub-contractors, and we pride ourselves on working to an agreed budget and timescale, while always delivering high-quality results. If you would like to get in touch and learn more about our retail services, follow this link or call us on 020 8368 0045.